Where to go in India this May

From Tadoba to Tawang, our pick of 8 splendid summer escapes

Beat the heat with some river rafting in Sikkim. Photo: Dave Pattison / Alamy Stock Photo

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Photo: AunPein Cheah / Alamy Stock Photo

Sikkim

Daytime temperatures in this mountain state rarely exceed 30°C during summer, with some afternoons likely to see rains. Enjoy yak safaris, white-water rafting and a glorious food binge.

Photo: Jim Zuckerman / Alamy Stock Photo

Nagaland

The cool, windy weather here during May makes this part of the northeast a great place to chill at. Trek through Dzukou Valley, an untouched paradise of emerald-green hills located along the Manipur border, over 2,400m above sea level. Also try your luck spotting tigers, golden langurs, hornbills and black storks, among other rare species, at the Intangki Wildlife Sanctuary, 111km from Kohima.

Photo: Divs Sejpal / Alamy Stock Photo

Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir

Much of this mountain territory starts opening up to tourists from May, welcoming them with temperatures a little above zero. This is just the time to tour the lakesof Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri, which enter melting mode. There are good chances of encountering snow around Rohtang and the passes of Baralacha La, Chang La and Khardung La. Also, as it’s shoulder season, expect crazy discounts on accommodation.

Photo: YAY Media AS / Alamy Stock Photo

Shillong, Meghalaya

A hilly escape coupled with a vivid music scene—now that’s a winning combination. Bob Dylan fans should time their trip to his birthday; local singer Lou Majaw and his friends pay a tribute to the legend with a beautiful lakeside celebration every year on 24 May. Prepare for a holiday full of art, food, dance, and definitely some great guitar work. Later, tread on the green-carpet-like grounds of Lady Hydari park, taking in the sights and fragrance of wildflowers. Call it Mother Nature’s therapy.

Photo: Sanjay Shrishrimal / Alamy Stock Photo

Tadoba, Maharashtra

It’s your best chance to spot the big cat here before the park closes in June. Go now, or you’ll have to wait till the monsoon ends. Don’t just scan hard for the tiger, though: the park is also home to chital, sambar, barking deer, sloth bears, wild boars, nilgai and even leopards.

Photo: Aroon Thaewchatturat / Alamy Stock Photo

Landour, Uttarakhand

Who doesn’t want to meet Ruskin Bond? Just set out for a long walk in this gorgeous hill town, a superb respite from the sweltering heat of the plains, and you might cross paths with the much-loved author. Celebrate the encounter with a hearty breakfast of bun-omelette and parathas at Char Dukan, once endorsed on Twitter by none other than Sachin Tendulkar.

Photo: Sreekanth G | Getty Images

Ooty, Tamil Nadu

Ooty's 122nd Flower Show will be inaugurated on 18 May at the Government Botanical Garden. 30,000 rose plants of 40,000 varieties will be on display at the garden. Expect blossoming displays of carnations, dahlias, gerberas, geraniums and of course, roses!

Photo: Patrick Horton | Getty Images

Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh

The chants from India’s largest Buddhist monastery, along with bone-chilling nights (min temperatures can dip to as low as 1°C), will soothe your city-weary soul. The high mountain passes, pristine lakes and gushing waterfalls will further clear the clog in your head. For more ways to live in the moment, take off on a drive or trek along Bumla Pass on the Indo–China border (also used by the Dalai Lama to escape from Tibet to India), where your arduous journey will be rewarded with stunning views of lakes and snow-clad peaks.